Yum! Brands, Inc.

NYSE:YUM Stock Report

Market Cap: US$40.8b

Yum! Brands Past Earnings Performance

Past criteria checks 4/6

Yum! Brands has been growing earnings at an average annual rate of 2.6%, while the Hospitality industry saw earnings growing at 30.3% annually. Revenues have been growing at an average rate of 5.8% per year.

Key information

2.55%

Earnings growth rate

4.08%

EPS growth rate

Hospitality Industry Growth19.52%
Revenue growth rate5.82%
Return on equityn/a
Net Margin20.48%
Last Earnings Update31 Mar 2026

Recent past performance updates

Recent updates

Seeking Alpha May 02

Yum! Brands: Where The Upside Lives (And Where It Doesn't)

Summary Yum! Brands remains a premier asset-light QSR operator, but the stock trades near perfection, warranting a continued 'Hold' rating. Taco Bell drives systemwide growth with innovative menu strategies and high-margin beverage initiatives, while KFC expands rapidly in emerging markets via new prototypes. Pizza Hut continues to drag results; a potential sale or operational turnaround could unlock significant margin and valuation upside. My base-case price target is $165 per share, with limited near-term upside but strong long-term optionality if key catalysts materialize. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update Apr 26

YUM: Group Repricing And Buybacks Will Shape Future Risk Reward Balance

Yum! Brands' analyst price target is updated to $172.25 from $171.92, reflecting minor tweaks to assumptions around discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E in light of a series of recent price target increases from major research firms.
Narrative Update Apr 09

YUM: Growth Quality Repricing And Capital Returns Will Shape Future Risk Balance

Analysts have increased their blended fair value estimate for Yum! Brands by about $0.17 to roughly $171.92, citing a series of recent price target raises across the Street that reflect confidence in what they describe as the quality of the company’s growth profile.
Narrative Update Mar 26

YUM: Portfolio Simplification And Dividend Actions Will Shape Future Risk Balance

Analysts have been lifting their price targets on Yum! Brands, with moves such as JPMorgan's shift to $170 and others in the $170 to $179 range.
Narrative Update Mar 12

YUM: Portfolio Review And Dividend Increase Will Shape Future Risk Balance

Analysts have nudged their average price target on Yum! Brands up by about $10 to $170, pointing to what they see as attractive growth quality across the restaurant portfolio and, for some, potential upside from a possible Pizza Hut divestment.
Narrative Update Feb 25

YUM: Portfolio Reshaping And Dividend Growth Will Guide Future Risk Balance

Our analyst fair value estimate for Yum! Brands has moved slightly higher from $170.08 to $171.75, reflecting street analysts' higher price targets across banks and a modestly stronger view on growth quality, margins, and future earnings multiples.
Narrative Update Feb 11

YUM: Pizza Hut Options And Commodity Tariff Cuts Will Shape Outlook

Narrative Update The analyst price target for Yum! Brands has been nudged higher to reflect a modestly higher fair value estimate of about $170 per share.
Narrative Update Jan 27

YUM: Pizza Hut Review And Beef Tariff Relief Will Shape Outlook

The Analyst Price Target for Yum! Brands has moved modestly higher to approximately $166.88.
Narrative Update Jan 12

YUM: Potential Pizza Hut Exit And Beef Tariff Relief Will Shape Outlook

Analysts slightly trimmed their consolidated fair value estimate for Yum! Brands to about $164.92 per share from roughly $165.56 as they weighed mixed price target revisions.
Narrative Update Dec 17

YUM: Future Pizza Hut Exit And Taco Bell Expansion Will Shape Balanced Outlook

Analysts have nudged their blended price target for Yum! Brands slightly higher, reflecting a modestly improved long term growth and margin outlook.
Narrative Update Dec 03

YUM: Future Pizza Hut Exit And Taco Bell Strength Will Unlock Outperformance

Analysts have nudged their average price target for Yum! Brands modestly higher toward the mid $160s, reflecting increased confidence in Taco Bell driven growth and potential portfolio optimization, such as a Pizza Hut sale, partly offset by concerns around higher costs and mixed same store sales trends.
Narrative Update Nov 19

YUM: Future Brand Portfolio Moves Will Unlock Sector Outperformance

Yum! Brands' analyst price target has increased from $161.40 to $165.56, as analysts cite expected growth from Taco Bell acquisitions, potential strategic moves with Pizza Hut, and overall stronger sales momentum.
Narrative Update Nov 05

YUM: Upcoming Earnings and Segment Performance Will Define Near-Term Trajectory

The analyst price target for Yum! Brands was raised slightly in recent updates, with the average moving from $158.67 to $161.33.
Narrative Update Oct 21

Analysts See Improved Margins and Balanced Upside in Yum Brands Amid Valuation Updates

Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Yum! Brands from $158.52 to $161.40 per share.
Analysis Article Jul 23

Estimating The Fair Value Of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM)

Key Insights The projected fair value for Yum! Brands is US$153 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Yum! Brands...
Seeking Alpha Apr 23

Yum! Brands: Inflation Is A Short-Term Headwind

Summary Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM) is rated as a HOLD due to overvaluation compared to peers although having good financial growth opportunities into the future. Taco Bell drives recent growth, with system sales up 14% in Q4'24, while KFC and Pizza Hut show mixed performance. Despite steady revenue and FCF growth, net income growth has slowed, impacted by inflation and decreasing profit margins. The company's stock appears overvalued based on historical and peer comparisons, with intrinsic value calculations suggesting a lower acceptable buying price. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Feb 06

Yum! Brands Is Coming Back Strong

Summary Yum! Brands, Inc. is poised for a breakout, with strong near-term trading potential and long-term investment appeal, bolstered by strategic pricing and cost controls. Q4 2024 results showed a double-line beat, with revenues up 8% to $2.4 billion and EPS up 28% to $1.61. Shareholder returns are robust, with $1.2 billion returned via dividends and buybacks in 2024, and a quarterly dividend increase to $0.71. Positive outlook for 2025, driven by AI-driven tech advancements, new store concepts, and expected revenue growth to $8 billion with EPS of at least $6.00. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Dec 23

Yum! Brands Is A Hearty Meal For Investors

Summary Yum! Brands, Inc. shows resilience with strong performance from KFC and Taco Bell, despite Pizza Hut's drag on revenues. YUM's solid business model, high liquidity, and low operating costs from franchising support its stability and growth potential. The stock is undervalued with a P/E of 24.76 and a DCF target price of $172.76, offering significant upside potential. Despite weak technicals, YUM's current price near its 52-week low presents a good entry point for long-term investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Nov 28

Yum! Brands: Facing Temporary Headwinds

Summary Weakening consumer health and Middle East-related blowback is leading to a relatively soft year for Yum! Brands. System sales were up just 1% over the first nine months, well below the 7% growth that management targets over the long run. Taco Bell and KFC remain in good health. Store closures will hit unit growth this year, but underlying demand from franchisees remains strong. Between EPS growth and the dividend, the stock just about has enough to justify its mid-20s P/E. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Oct 29

Yum! Brands: Taco Bell Overcomes The 'Fast-Food Exodus' With Menu Innovation

Summary Taco Bell's success is driven by a clear value proposition and continuous menu innovations, outperforming peers in a challenging market. Yum!'s other brands, KFC and Pizza Hut, struggle with value perceptions and comparable sales, impacting overall performance. Valuation models indicate Yum!'s stock is close to intrinsic value, suggesting a 'Hold' rating with a price target of $127-$130. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Oct 18

AI-Powered Efficiency And Institutional Support Drive Yum! Brands Forward

Summary Yum! Brands, Inc., owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill, attracts strong institutional interest despite mixed analyst ratings. AI initiatives enhance operational efficiency and customer experience, boosting profitability and growth potential, especially at Taco Bell and KFC. Industry challenges include inflation, rising labor costs, and mixed performance in U.S. markets, with KFC U.S. and Pizza Hut facing sales declines. Despite a premium valuation and high debt, Yum! Brands show solid dividend growth and operating earnings, warranting a “Hold” rating amidst market volatility. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Aug 13

Yum Brands: Valuation Appears Stretched

Summary Past per-share performance was largely driven by debt-funded share buybacks. This led to today's high leverage of YUM. With KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, Yum operates high-margin franchises. Valuation appears stretched, particularly in peer comparisons with market leader McDonald's and others. I see no reason to choose YUM over McDonald's, for example. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha Jun 05

Yum! Brands: Fast-Food Price Wars Could Ding The P/E, Monitoring Momentum Trends

Summary Retail and restaurant price wars are underway, with companies like Target and Walmart cutting prices on groceries and McDonald's and Burger King offering new low-price meals. Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, faces challenges in China and may need to make price-cutting efforts to compete. But with solid EPS growth expected, its high earnings multiple is justified for now. I highlight key price levels on the chart to monitor ahead of earnings due out in July. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha

Revenue & Expenses Breakdown

How Yum! Brands makes and spends money. Based on latest reported earnings, on an LTM basis.


Earnings and Revenue History

NYSE:YUM Revenue, expenses and earnings (USD Millions)
DateRevenueEarningsG+A ExpensesR&D Expenses
31 Mar 268,4861,7381,1590
31 Dec 258,2141,5591,1490
30 Sep 258,0611,4471,1360
30 Jun 257,9081,4331,1190
31 Mar 257,7381,4251,1010
31 Dec 247,5491,4861,0900
30 Sep 247,2231,5261,1110
30 Jun 247,1051,5601,1170
31 Mar 247,0291,6111,1450
31 Dec 237,0761,5971,1590
30 Sep 237,0591,5051,1690
30 Jun 236,9911,4201,1720
31 Mar 236,9401,2261,1430
31 Dec 226,8421,3251,1300
30 Sep 226,7131,2841,1380
30 Jun 226,6791,4811,1290
31 Mar 226,6451,6481,1050
31 Dec 216,5841,5751,0520
30 Sep 216,4371,5771,0290
30 Jun 216,2791,3329570
31 Mar 215,8751,1479940
31 Dec 205,6529041,0400
30 Sep 205,6031,0609500
30 Jun 205,4941,0329810
31 Mar 205,6061,1159120
31 Dec 195,5971,2949210
30 Sep 195,4611,1408840
30 Jun 195,5131,3398830
31 Mar 195,5711,3718960
31 Dec 185,6881,5429010
30 Sep 185,7071,6449120
30 Jun 185,7521,6089390
31 Mar 185,8321,4939500
31 Dec 175,8781,3409710
30 Sep 176,1871,2121,0050
30 Jun 176,2691,0121,0100
31 Mar 176,3301,0721,0380
31 Dec 166,3561,0181,1050
30 Sep 161,7566288560
30 Jun 163,6658319440
31 Mar 165,2618001,0470
31 Dec 156,4189261,0580
05 Sep 1513,1519321,4490
13 Jun 1513,0789151,4440

Quality Earnings: YUM has high quality earnings.

Growing Profit Margin: YUM's current net profit margins (20.5%) are higher than last year (18.4%).


Free Cash Flow vs Earnings Analysis


Past Earnings Growth Analysis

Earnings Trend: YUM's earnings have grown by 2.6% per year over the past 5 years.

Accelerating Growth: YUM's earnings growth over the past year (22%) exceeds its 5-year average (2.6% per year).

Earnings vs Industry: YUM earnings growth over the past year (22%) did not outperform the Hospitality industry 24.3%.


Return on Equity

High ROE: YUM's liabilities exceed its assets, so it is difficult to calculate its Return on Equity.


Return on Assets


Return on Capital Employed


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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status

DataLast Updated (UTC time)
Company Analysis2026/06/01 10:16
End of Day Share Price 2026/05/29 00:00
Earnings2026/03/31
Annual Earnings2025/12/31

Data Sources

The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.

PackageDataTimeframeExample US Source *
Company Financials10 years
  • Income statement
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet
Analyst Consensus Estimates+3 years
  • Forecast financials
  • Analyst price targets
Market Prices30 years
  • Stock prices
  • Dividends, Splits and Actions
Ownership10 years
  • Top shareholders
  • Insider trading
Management10 years
  • Leadership team
  • Board of directors
Key Developments10 years
  • Company announcements

* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.

Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.

Analysis Model and Snowflake

Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.

Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Industry and Sector Metrics

Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.

Analyst Sources

Yum! Brands, Inc. is covered by 52 analysts. 23 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.

AnalystInstitution
John StaszakArgus Research Company
David TarantinoBaird
Jeffrey BernsteinBarclays